Glorious Journey leads home Appleby one-two-three in Al Fahidi Fort

Charlie Appleby dominated the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort with three of the seven runners and promptly supplied the one-two-three at Meydan, with Glorious Journey emerging on top under James Doyle.

In the feature race of the fourth meeting of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival, Doyle settled the five-year-old, penalised for his Group 2 Hungerford Stakes victory at Newbury in August, in fourth before easing closer early in the long straight.

Brett Doyle and Mubtasim led until the furlong pole when challenged by William Buick aboard Mythical Magic and the eventual winner, who showed a better turn of foot than Buick’s mount.

James Doyle, completing a double, said: “The race went to plan and we know seven furlongs is his trip. We went a good gallop and he quickened nicely with conditions to suit.

“I guess we'll have to change trip now, perhaps a mile or drop him back to six, but we have time to discuss that.”

Over a mile on dirt, the main support race was the Listed UAE 1,000 Guineas, the first local Classic of 2020 and won for an 11th time by Saeed bin Suroor for Godolphin.

Dubai Love: streaking clear in the UAE 1,000 Guineas

Trial winner Final Song could not last home after hitting the front briefly over a furlong out, however, and was soon headed by Dubai Love.

Pat Cosgrave’s mount, fourth in the Trial, stayed on strongly to win easily with early leader Down On Da Bayou snatching second.

Bin Suroor said: “We knew the trip would suit Dubai Love, who ran well in the Trial and the extra furlong and a half in the UAE Oaks should be in her favour."

The 1m4f turf handicap also went to Godolphin, with Bin Suroor saddling Dubai Future for a smooth victory under Harry Bentley, opening his UAE account for the season.

The trainer also won the Al Bastakiya Trial with Laser Show, who proved far too good for his 14 rivals under Kevin Stott.

Charlie Hills was delighted with Equilateral after the smart sprinter won the 5f Listed turf handicap to secure the trainer's first winner in the UAE.

The five-year-old was having his first run since being gelded and could have been called the winner a long way out, cruising under James Doyle before putting the race to bed in a matter of strides.

Hills said: “Gelding him appears to have helped but from the moment he arrived in Dubai he has loved it; the weather and routine.

“He will probably come back here in four weeks and has options on Super Saturday, Dubai World Cup night and Saudi Arabia so we have plenty to discuss. I am delighted and excited by him.”

Get ahead of the game with Get Your Eye In – exclusive Saturday preview content on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app from 2pm on Friday